2023 was a year of firsts for Sew Simply Meg. I launched my first quilt pattern, The Glass House Quilt, in May, and it was so amazing to see how everyone interpreted this pattern and brought some unique color combinations together for their versions of this quilt. If you have made this quilt, please make sure to tag me on social media and tag #theglasshousequilt so everyone can see your beautiful version. If you haven’t picked up a copy of this quilt pattern yet, it is available for sale on my website today!
I also attended my first vendor trade show this year, h&h America’s in Chicago, where I had an opportunity to meet in real life a group of quilters that I’ve been working with over zoom for the past year. It was so wonderful to meet in person and gain so much courage to step outside the comfort zone with their encouragement to talk to fabric manufacturers and other vendors about my patterns and designs. I was able to make several important initial contacts, including meeting Annie Unrein, from ByAnnie.com.
Which leads to my next first, my first Facebook Live ~ Live with Annie! When I met Annie, we talked about an idea several makers of my Glass House Quilt pattern had, that I wanted to try with one of Annie’s patterns, and she was so excited about the idea, that she decided to make a mini-series, with a couple of my colleagues and myself. You can watch the series here. I made several bags and even wrote a new pattern just to collaborate with Annie, with an addon that specifically coordinates with the Ultimate Travel Bag. Annie is so lovely and generous, and her bag patterns are incredibly detailed. If you have never made one of her bags, I highly recommend you try. Check your local quilt shop for patterns and supplies, Annie’s Soft and Stable is fabulous!
The collaboration with Annie lead to another first, the Malmo Quilt, which was my first pattern in a series called Make in a Day, which was free to my email subscribers and is now available for sale on my website. My next pattern in this series will be released in January. These are very beginner friendly and typically use precuts. The quilt tops are intended to be completed in a couple hours or less, for a quick make.
As soon as I finished my collaboration with Annie, I packed my bags, and headed to Houston for Quilt Market to meet so many more wonderful people. Several more quilty friends were there doing some fantastic things, teaching classes, and giving demos at many of the vendor booths that were so inspirational. I met many new quilty friends at a few events outside of the convention center. And had so many new opportunities by meeting even more fabric designers, manufacturers, and distributors. Then I finally walked through the Quilts on display, and WOW! I was amazed by the creativity and ingenious design of the quilts submitted. I was so energized when I came home, I was busy working on so many new things that I can’t wait to share with all of you in 2024.
In between all these things, I was able to make some beautiful baby quilts and other gifts and bags, and spent time with my chickens and cats, celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary with my husband, design and start building a new house, and am helping my mom plan her beach wedding for the last weekend of the year.
What’s in store for 2024? I have several new quilt patterns planned, the Quilt Designers Collective Sprout Quilt Challenge Block Party launching 1/1/24 (sign-ups start 12/17), more Make in a Day patterns, and other collaborations. Plus more trade shows and travels to visit quilting friends that I know will be so inspiring!
xo,
Meg
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